Apple Magic Trackpad 2, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard

Alongside its new iMacs, Apple has debuted a new slate of peripherals: Magic Mouse 2 ($80), Magic Keyboard ($100) and the Force Touch-equipped Magic Trackpad 2 ($130). All the new devices use Bluetooth connections with a 30-foot range and feature lithium-ion batteries that are rechargable through a Lightning port; Magic Trackpad 2 actually requires a Bluetooth 4.0-enabled Mac as a system requirement. Apple estimates all of the devices take about 2 hours to fully charge and can last a month or more on a single charge.

The new mouse has a slimmer profile now that AA batteries aren’t required, making the device lighter than the previous Magic Mouse. An improved foot design gives the new mouse smoother movement with less resistance, and its multi-touch surface allows users to scroll in any direction with one finger, swipe through web pages and click or double click anywhere. The new keyboard also touts a lower profile than the old Apple wireless keyboard thanks to the rechargeable battery, and improved key stability thanks to a re-engineered scissor mechanism. Instead of getting smaller like the new keyboard and mouse, Apple’s new trackpad boasts a click-anywhere surface that’s 29 percent larger than the previous model. As with the mouse, trackpad users can scroll and swipe in any direction, but Force Touch gives the new trackpad additional capabilities, performing a variety of different actions with a deeper press.

Comments

The haptic feedback product and all the other new products that Apple is building for the ecosystem is game changing.

Then there are tons of great companies that BookBook building cases, Lumiy building LED desk lamps, and others making amazing products for the larger Ecosystem.

Posted by Candice Hiley on 2015-10-14 03:19:58

Sorry - just saw that you said there ISN'T... sorry about that... reading too fast.

Posted by bonaccij on 2015-10-13 16:01:04

There is? With haptic feedback? I know of a couple of trackpads, but none that offer that. Would be interested to check that out if you can pass on the link.

Posted by bonaccij on 2015-10-13 16:00:23

There isn't a competing product, and it's priced accordingly. Any justification for such a steep increase is just lipstick-on-a-pig ;-)

Posted by benjitek on 2015-10-13 15:37:22

Well, remember, you are "paying" for the haptic feedback that they put into this trackpad. How long do you keep your trackpads? I've had mine since it came out. It's not bad if you consider how long you are going to be using this item. Yes, it's more expensive, but there are a lot more components in this one.

Posted by bonaccij on 2015-10-13 15:33:03

Good God! $99 for a PENCIL, $80 for a mouse and $100 for a Trackpad? I know as Apple users, it's expected of us to pay a bit more, but DAMN! These "features" do NOT justify these ridiculous prices!!!

Posted by Lance Garvey on 2015-10-13 15:13:14

Have been hoping for a Force-Touch trackpad for my MBP... but... $130? That's the same price as my pre-ordered Roku-4. Think I'll keep an eye out for an app that somehow manages to use the screen of my iPhone 6S+ as a pretend Force-Touch trackpad ;-)